Business Documents

Some clients may require confirmation that you operate as a business before you can start a contract. On Upwork, these include certain Enterprise contracts, and you may be asked to provide confirmation in advance of receiving a contract (e.g., when you submit a proposal), so you’re ‘Enterprise Ready’ when you do win a contract.

The good news is that as a freelancer on Upwork, you’re operating as a business, even if it’s only in a sole proprietor basis. Plus, there are benefits for establishing a business entity (see here for what’s right for you).

But freelancing on Upwork may not be enough to prove you are a business for every project.

Here are some ways you can show you have a business

Business license

Proof of status as a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or other entity, such as articles of organization, certificate of incorporation, or online registration summary

Proof of registration with any tax, social security or other agency as an independent contractor, sole trader, private entrepreneur, or other self-employed individual

Proof of registration of a business name (dba), such as a fictitious business name statement, registration of trade name, or certificate of assumed name

Form or notice showing your U.S. Employer Identification Number (EIN) or international business tax number

Certificate of Insurance or other proof of liability insurance

Proof that you have unemployment or workers’ compensation insurance

Invoices to other clients within last 12 months

Business tax return (e.g. Schedule C from U.S. Form 1040)

Commercial office space lease

Coworking space membership or lease

Proof of payrolling yourself or hiring employees or freelancers for your business

Note: Your documents may be redacted at your discretion to remove sensitive information, but please leave enough details so that Upwork can still review the document.

Common ways to show you have a business, by country

Below is a list of commonly accepted business documents in countries with more specific guidance.

The following tax filings (redacted at your discretion to remove sensitive information): Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business, Form 1065 (Schedule K-1) 1120-S or 1120,or other tax filing to the Internal Revenue Service

Frequently Asked Questions

I don’t have a contract yet, why are you asking me for documentation?

You may be asked to provide confirmation in advance of receiving a contract (e.g., when you submit a proposal), so you’re ‘Enterprise Ready’ when you do win a contract. This will let you get to work faster if you are hired for this or any contract that requires a compliance review. If you prefer, you can wait until you win the contract to complete the process, but it must be completed before you can start the project.

I feel uncomfortable sharing some of this information. Can I black out certain items?

Information that you share through the Upwork platform is protected by Upwork’s Privacy Policy. You can also black out any financial, tax or other information that you consider private so long as there is sufficient information for Upwork to review the document.

What is Upwork Enterprise’s Compliance services?

Some clients receive help from Upwork to determine whether to engage you as an independent contractor or as an employee of our staffing agency. For more about how this affects you as a freelancer, click here.

My country isn’t listed? What should I do?

If your country isn’t listed and you are asked to prove you are a business, your local legal, tax, or accounting professional can help you identify the necessary documentation.